pennsylvania police pursuits

PENNSYLVANIA POLICE PURSUITS

ANNUAL REPORT

Prepared by: Pennsylvania State Police

Bureau of Research and Development

2019

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code defines a pursuit as "an active attempt by a police officer operating a motor vehicle to apprehend one or more occupants of a motor vehicle when the driver of the vehicle is resisting the apprehension by maintaining or increasing his speed or by ignoring the police officer's audible or visual signal to stop." Since 1996, the Vehicle Code has required police departments in Pennsylvania to make a record of all vehicle pursuits and to report them to the Pennsylvania State Police.

Police officers in Pennsylvania reported a total of 1,965 pursuits in 2019. The following are noteworthy statistics taken from this report:

5 individuals were killed as a result of pursuit-related crashes. Of the 5 fatalities,

5 were violators; 0 were uninvolved persons; and 0 were police officers.

587 pursuits resulted in a total of 783 crashes (more than one crash may occur

during a single pursuit), with 235 of the pursuits resulting in injury to the violator, police, and/or uninvolved persons.

55.62% of pursuits resulted in the apprehension of one or more violators. 56.79% of the pursuits were accomplished using a trailing pursuit, the least forceful technique.

PENNSYLVANIA POLICE PURSUIT ANNUAL REPORT

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75, and the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, §6341–§6345, requires police agencies within the Commonwealth to make a record of all motor vehicle pursuits and to report this data to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). The PSP is required to collect these reports, analyze the data, and compile and publish an annual summary of the findings.

The purpose of the detailed analysis contained within the Pennsylvania Police Pursuit Annual Report is to help identify both positive and negative factors influencing the outcome of vehicular pursuits, validate or refute the merits of pursuit policies and apprehension techniques, and recognize training successes and deficiencies. The analysis of pursuit statistics enhances the safety of police officers and the public they serve.

The information contained in this report is broken down into three major sections:

Pursuit Factor Analysis Five-Year Trend Analysis Cross-Tabulation Analysis

Pursuit Factor Analysis examines the dynamics involved before, during, and after a pursuit was initiated by police. Pursuit Factor Analysis considers variables such as the reasons pursuits were initiated, the types of vehicles pursued, the tactics utilized by police during pursuits, and the reasons pursuits were terminated. Some other pursuit-related aspects analyzed in this section are pursuit-related crashes, injuries, fatalities, and property damage. A summary of Pursuit Factor Analysis is found within this report. Previous year comparison Pursuit Factor Analysis data can be found in Appendix A.

Five-Year Trend Analysis examines pursuit trends over the past five years in five major pursuit factor categories (total number of pursuits, apprehension rates, crash rates, total number of fatalities, and total number of injured persons). By examining these trends, officials can better identify and address successes and deficiencies in pursuit techniques and policies. A Five-Year Trend Analysis can be found in Appendix B.

Cross-Tabulation Analysis breaks down pursuit factor data in relation to one another, providing greater insight into the dynamics of police pursuits. For example, Reason Initiated – Crash Cross-Tabulation Analysis examines the likelihood of pursuit-related crashes based upon the reasons pursuits were initiated. The results of this analysis can reveal valuable information concerning the likelihood of a crash occurring in relation to the reason a pursuit was first initiated (e.g., traffic violation, driving under the influence, stolen vehicle, felony criminal activity). Officials can utilize the results of the Cross-Tabulation Analysis to identify problem areas and make the necessary changes to pursuit policies, training, and techniques. A summary of the Cross-Tabulation Analysis is found within this report. Further details of the Cross-Tabulation Analysis can be found in Appendix C.

A list of Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies who have not notified or certified to the

Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission that they have a pursuit

policy can be found in Appendix D.

Detailed definitions of terminology contained in this report can be found in Appendix E.

PURSUIT FACTOR ANALYSIS

Pursuit factors listed in this section were compiled and analyzed from data obtained from the Pennsylvania Police Pursuit Reporting System. These factors were comprehensively analyzed by combining pursuit reports from municipal police departments and the PSP.

Due to the lack of a national pursuit database, and because law enforcement agencies maintain different reporting procedures, there is little comparative information available for use in conducting extensive analytical research on this subject. However, several independent studies revealed similar results as Pennsylvania in the analysis of certain pursuit factors, such as apprehension, collision, and fatality rates.

Pursuit factor data for calendar year 2019 is provided below. Previous-year data is provided for comparison in Appendix A. A Five-Year Trend Analysis is contained in Appendix B.

Reason Initiated:

The most common reason for a pursuit to be initiated was for other traffic offenses, such as exceeding the maximum speed limit, stop sign and yield sign violations, etc. (Appendix A, Fig. 1). These factors accounted for 57.10% of all pursuits.

Driving under the influence (DUI) or suspected DUI operator were the second highest cause, accounting for 12.57% of initiated pursuits, while 11.76% of pursuits originated due to felony criminal offenses (Appendix A, Fig. 1).

Apprehension:

This pursuit factor was designed to identify the number and percentage of pursuits that resulted in a violator's arrest. Furthermore, if a violator was not arrested, this factor serves to identify why an arrest was not made. More than half of the pursuits (55.62%) ended with an apprehension during the pursuit. In addition, 9.97% of pursuits resulted in a delayed apprehension. By combining "during" and "delayed" apprehensions, approximately 65.59% of all pursuits resulted in an arrest (Appendix A, Fig. 2).

Reason Terminated:

This pursuit factor categorizes the reasons pursuits were terminated or what factors caused a pursuit to end.

Of the 1,965 pursuits, 33.89% were discontinued by the police. Pursuits were discontinued for a number of reasons, including officer/supervisor decision to end the pursuit, the violator eluded the police, etc. (Appendix A, Fig. 3).

26.82% of pursuits were ended because the violator stopped voluntarily. Stopped by collision accounted for 15.73% of all terminated pursuits (Appendix A, Fig. 3).

Crash Type:

70.13% of the reported pursuits ended without a collision. Of the 1,965 total pursuits, 587 resulted in a total of 783 crashes. The following is a breakdown of the types of crashes that were reported (Appendix A, Fig. 4). More than one crash may occur during a single pursuit.

Violator Crash: 415 Police Crash: 33 Uninvolved Crash: 18 Violator/Police Crash: 64 Violator/Uninvolved Unoccupied Crash: 53 Violator/Uninvolved Occupied Crash: 73 Violator/Police Deliberate Intent: 26 Violator/Uninvolved Deliberate Intent: 0 Police/Violator Legal Intervention: 84 Uninvolved/Police Crash: 4 Police/Tire Deflation Deployment Crash: 3 Uninvolved/Tire Deflation Deployment Crash: 0 Violator/Tire Deflation Deployment Crash: 10

Ending Apprehension:

This pursuit factor measures what apprehension techniques police utilized to end each pursuit. Over half (56.79%) of all pursuits ended as a result of a trailing pursuit. Pursuit data analysis reveals that police utilized minimum or no force in the majority of pursuits (Appendix A, Fig. 5).

Violators Arrested:

The majority of pursuits ended with the apprehension of the fleeing violator. Of the reported pursuits, 61.73% involved the arrest of one offender, while 9.67% involved the arrest of multiple violators (Appendix A, Fig. 6).

Type of Police Vehicle:

Marked police vehicles were solely involved in 84.33% of pursuits; 8.24% involved unmarked police vehicles only; and 7.43% utilized both marked and unmarked vehicles (Appendix A, Fig. 7).

Type of Vehicle Pursued:

Pursuit analysis indicates that 58.12% of police pursuits involved automobiles; 12.57% involved motorcycles; and 26.41% involved vans, pick-ups, or sport-utility vehicles (Appendix A, Fig. 8).

Number of Injuries:

Of the 1,965 initiated pursuits, 235, or 11.96%, resulted in injuries to 268 persons (more than one injury can occur in a single pursuit). Of the 268 injured persons, 185 were violators, 43 were police officers, and 40 were uninvolved persons (Appendix A, Fig. 9).

Number of Fatalities:

There were 5 deaths that occurred during police pursuits in 2019. A breakdown of the fatalities is as follows: 5 violator deaths, 0 uninvolved person deaths, and 0 police deaths (Appendix A, Fig. 10).

Property Damage:

Violators incurred an average of $1,201.42 in property damage per pursuit; police incurred an average of $479.46 in damage per pursuit; and uninvolved persons incurred an average of $568.56 in property damage per pursuit (Appendix A, Fig. 11).

Non-pursuit-Related Offenses:

Non-pursuit-related offenses represent those violations which did not occur during the pursuit but occurred prior to the encounter, during initiation, or at the apprehension stage of the pursuit. The total reported non-pursuit-related Vehicle Code violations was 1,412; the total reported non-pursuit-related Crimes Code violations was 552; and the total reported non-pursuit-related controlled substance offenses was 520 (Appendix A, Fig. 12). Vehicle Code violations were heavily concentrated in Chapter 15 and Chapter 38. Violations primarily consisted of the following offenses (Appendix A, Fig. 14):

Chapter 15 Drivers Required to be Licensed Driving While Operating Privilege is Suspended or Revoked

Chapter 38 Driving Under Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance

Criminal violations were heavily concentrated in Chapter 39 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. Chapter 39 violations primarily consisted of the following offenses (Appendix A, Fig. 15):

Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition Receiving Stolen Property Unauthorized Use of Automobiles and Other Vehicles

Controlled substance violations were heavily concentrated in Sections CS13(a)16, CS13(a)31, and CS13(a)32. These sections are comprised of the following offenses (Appendix A, Fig. 16):

CS13(a)16 Possession of a Controlled Substance CS13(a)31 Possession of Small Amount of Marijuana CS13(a)32 Possession of Paraphernalia

Pursuit-Related Offenses:

Pursuit-related offenses represent those violations committed during the course of a pursuit (Appendix A, Fig. 13).

Pursuit-related Vehicle Code offenses were primarily comprised of Chapter 33 and Chapter 37 violations. Chapter 33 and Chapter 37 violations encompass the following offenses (Appendix A, Fig. 17):

Chapter 33

Driving on Right Side of Roadway Limitations on Driving on Left Side of Roadway No-Passing Zones One-way Roadways and Rotary Traffic Islands Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic Stop Signs and Yield Signs Duty of Driver on Approach of Emergency Vehicle Turning Movements and Required Signals Driving Vehicle at Safe Speed Maximum Speed Limits

Chapter 37 Careless Driving Trespass by Motor Vehicle Homicide by Vehicle Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer Driving Without Lights to Avoid Identification or Arrest Homicide by Vehicle While DUI Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI Reckless Driving Accidents Involving Damage to Attended Vehicle or Property Accidents involving Damage to Unattended Vehicle or Property

Pursuit-related Crimes Code offenses were primarily comprised of Chapter 27 violations. Chapter 27 violations include the following offenses (Appendix A, Fig. 18):

Simple Assault Aggravated Assault Recklessly Endangering Another Person

FIVE-YEAR TREND ANALYSIS

Five-Year Trend Analysis examines pursuit trends over the past five years in five key pursuit factor categories (total number of pursuits, apprehension rates, crash rates, total number of fatalities, and total number of injuries). By examining pursuit trends, officials can better identify and address successes and deficiencies in pursuit techniques and policies. A Five-Year Trend Analysis can be found in Appendix B.

CROSS-TABULATION ANALYSIS

This section analyzes pursuit factors in relation to one another, providing greater insight into the dynamics of police pursuits. This analysis can be found in Appendix C.

Apprehension – Type of Vehicle Pursued:

Most fleeing violators/vehicles are apprehended during police pursuits. Apprehension rates, consisting of "during" and "delayed" apprehensions for the different types of vehicles pursued, were as follows in 2019: automobiles 68.83%; motorcycles 48.58%; vans/pick-ups/sport-utility vehicles 69.75%; other vehicles (example: all-terrain vehicles) 35.71%; and truck-tractor/semitrailers 100.00% (Appendix C, Fig. 19).

Crash – Type of Vehicle Pursued:

The majority of reported pursuits (70.13%) did not involve collisions. 68.13% of pursued automobiles, 81.38% of pursued motorcycles, and 67.82% of pursued vans/pick-ups/sport-utility vehicles were not involved in crashes (Appendix C, Fig. 20).

Reason Terminated – Type of Vehicle Pursued:

Overall, 33.89% of police pursuits were discontinued by the officer(s) involved. In analyzing the reasons why each pursuit was discontinued with respect to the type of vehicle pursued, it was discovered that the greatest percentage of discontinued pursuits (58.92%) involved other vehicles (Appendix C, Fig. 21).

Reason Initiated – Apprehension:

Pursuits initiated because of a DUI or suspected DUI operator resulted in an arrest 84.21% of the time. Apprehension rates for pursuits initiated for felony criminal offenses, misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, stolen or suspected stolen vehicles, and summary criminal offenses ranged from 60.24% to 70.56% (Appendix C, Fig. 22).

Reason Initiated – Crash:

This comparison examines the likelihood of pursuit-related crashes based upon the reasons pursuits were initiated. The following "reason initiated" categories had the following prevalence of crashes in 2019: DUI or suspected DUI operator, 35.22%; felony criminal offenses, 40.26%; misdemeanor criminal offenses, 26.67%; other traffic offenses, 24.69%; stolen or suspected stolen vehicles, 49.66%; and summary criminal offenses, 25.30% (Appendix C, Fig. 23).

CONCLUSION

Few areas of police work raise as much public scrutiny as police pursuits. The basic dilemma associated with high-speed police pursuits of fleeing individuals is deciding whether the benefits of potential apprehension outweigh the risks to police officers, the public, and the violator(s).

The detailed analysis in this report can be used to help identify both positive and negative factors influencing the outcome of vehicular pursuits, validate or refute the merits of pursuit policies and apprehension techniques, and recognize training successes and deficiencies. It is intended that the statistics gathered will enable police departments throughout the Commonwealth to enhance the safety of their officers and the public they serve.

APPENDIX A

PURSUIT FACTOR ANALYSIS

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Pursuit Report

2019 2018

REASON INITIATED N % N % DUI or Suspected DUI Operator 247 12.57% 249 13.91%

Felony Criminal Offenses 231 11.76%

214 11.96%

Misdemeanor Criminal Offenses 135 6.87% 124 6.93%

Other Traffic Offenses 1,122 57.10% 987 55.14%

Stolen or Suspected Stolen Vehicle 147 7.48% 146 8.16%

Summary Criminal Offenses 83 4.22% 70 3.91%

Figure #1


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

APPREHENSION N % N % Apprehended During Pursuit (Incl. on Foot) 1,093 55.62% 949 53.02%

Delayed - After Termination 196 9.97% 191 10.67%

None - Decision Made to Terminate 328 16.69% 318 17.77%

None - Stopped, but Escaped on Foot 94 4.78% 111 6.20%

None - Violator Successfully Eluded Police 254 12.93% 221 12.35%

Figure #2


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

REASON TERMINATED N % N % Violator Abandoned Vehicle 129 6.56% 117 6.54%

Crash/Collision (All) 309 15.73% 293 16.36%

Discontinued 666 33.89% 611 34.13%

Other Police Action/Induced 140 7.12% 139 7.77%

Police Vehicle Disabled 10 0.51% 8 0.45%

Violator Vehicle Disabled 184 9.36% 144 8.04%

Voluntary Stop 527 26.82% 478 26.70%

Figure #3


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

CRASH TYPE N % N % Pursuits Without Crashes 1,378 70.13% 1,196 66.82%

Pursuits With Crashes 587 29.87% 594 33.18%

Police/Tire Deflation Deployment Crash 3 0.38% 1 0.13%

Uninvolved/Tire Deflation Deployment Crash 0 0.00% 1 0.13%

Violator/Tire Deflation Deployment Crash 10 1.28% 19 2.38%

Violator Crash 415 53.00% 404 50.63%

Police Crash 33 4.21% 32 4.01%

Uninvolved Crash 18 2.30% 19 2.38%

Violator/Police Crash 64 8.17% 46 5.76%

Violator/Uninvolved Crashes 126 16.09% 137 17.17%

Violator/Police Deliberate Intent 26 3.32% 28 3.51%

Violator/Uninvolved Deliberate Intent 0 0.00% 9 1.13%

Police/Violator Legal Intervention 84 10.73% 97 12.16%

Uninvolved/Police Crash 4 0.51% 5 0.63%

Total Crashes: * 783 798

* Multiple crashes may occur during a single pursuit.

Figure #4


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

ENDING APPREHENSION N % N % None 590 29.99% 515 28.77%

Trailing Pursuit 1,117 56.79% 1,033 57.71%

Other Induced Stop 75 3.81% 62 3.46%

Rolling Roadblock 29 1.47% 21 1.17%

Legal Intervention 95 4.83% 85 4.75%

Partial Roadblock 19 0.97% 30 1.68%

Tire Deflation Device 30 1.53% 36 2.01%

Total Roadblock 2 0.10% 3 0.17%

Firearms 5 0.25% 4 0.22%

Air Support 5 0.25% 1 0.06%

Figure #5


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

VIOLATORS ARRESTED/PURSUIT N % N % Zero Arrested 561 28.55% 495 27.65%

One Arrested 1,213 61.73% 1,099 61.40%

Two Arrested 145 7.38% 152 8.49%

Three Arrested 27 1.37% 37 2.07%

Four Arrested 9 0.46% 5 0.28%

Five or More Arrested 9 0.46% 2 0.11%

Pursuits With Arrests: 1,403 71.40% 1,295 72.35%

Figure #6


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

TYPE OF POLICE VEHICLE N % N % Marked and Unmarked 146 7.43% 170 9.50%

Marked 1,657 84.33% 1,467 81.96%

Unmarked 162 8.24% 153 8.55%

Figure #7


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

TYPE OF VEHICLE PURSUED N % N % Automobile 1,142 58.12% 1,081 60.39%

Motorcycle 247 12.57% 193 10.78%

Other 56 2.85% 40 2.23%

TT or TT/STLR 1 0.05% 1 0.05%

Van/Pickup/SUV 519 26.41% 475 26.54%

Figure #8


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

NUMBER PURSUITS WITH INJURIES N % N % Pursuits With Injuries 235 11.96% 196 10.95%

Pursuits Without Injuries 1,730 88.04% 1,594 89.05%

Violators Injured 185 78.72% 153 78.06%

Police Officers Injured 43 18.30% 31 15.82%

Uninvolved Persons Injured 40 17.02% 34 17.35%

Total Injured: * 268 218

* Multiple injuries may occur during a single pursuit.

Figure #9


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

NUMBER OF PURSUITS WITH FATALITIES N % N % Pursuits With Fatalities 5 0.25% 10 0.56%

Pursuits Without Fatalities 1,960 99.75% 1,780 99.44%

Violator Fatalities 5 100.00% 10 100.00%

Police Fatalities 0 0.00% 0 0.00%

Uninvolved Person Fatalities 0 0.00% 0 0.00%

Total Fatalities: * 5 10

* More than one fatality may occur during a single pursuit.

Figure #10


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

PROPERTY DAMAGE TOTALS

Violator Damage $2,360,792.00 $1,315,918.00

Police Damage $942,146.00 $726,501.00

Uninvolved Damage $1,117,224.00 $1,241,537.00

Damage Rate Per Pursuit: Violator Damage $1,201.42 $735.15

Police Damage $479.46 $405.87

Uninvolved Damage $568.56 $693.60

Figure #11


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

TYPES OF NON-PURSUIT-RELATED OFFENSES Pursuits Pursuits Crimes Code 552 502

Vehicle Code 1,412 1,406

Controlled Substance 520 494

Figure #12


Pursuit Report

2019 2018

TYPES OF PURSUIT-RELATED OFFENSES Offenses Offenses Crimes Code 835 802

Vehicle Code 6,356 6,362

Figure #13


Pursuit Report

VC1301 152

VC1372 36

VC1501 150

VC1543 327

VC1786 89

VC3802 366

VC4703 77

VCOther 215

TYPES OF NON-PURSUIT-RELATED VEHICLE CODE OFFENSES

Figure #14


Pursuit Report

CC2701 20

CC3921 68

CC3925 140

CC3928 35

CC5104 91

CC6308 4

CCOther 194

TYPES OF NON-PURSUIT-RELATED CRIMES CODE OFFENSES

Figure #15


Pursuit Report

CS13(a)00 6

CS13(a)16 144

CS13(a)30 54

CS13(a)31 109

CS13(a)32 181

CSOther 26

TYPES OF NON-PURSUIT-RELATED CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OFFENSES

Figure #16


Pursuit Report

VC3111 189

VC3112 280

VC3301 206

VC3306 65

VC3307 94

VC3308 69

VC3309 303

VC3323 497

VC3325 110

VC3334 307

VC3361 439

VC3362 281

VC3714 672

VC3717 45

VC3732 1

VC3733 1,425

VC3734 71

VC3735 1

VC3735.1 18

VC3736 820

VC3743 81

VC3745 77

VCOther 305

TYPES OF PURSUIT-RELATED VEHICLE CODE OFFENSES

Figure #17


Pursuit Report

CC2701 26

CC2702 93

CC2705 377

CC3304 34

CC5104 167

CC5503 36

CCOther 102

TYPES OF PURSUIT-RELATED CRIMES CODE OFFENSES

Figure #18

APPENDIX B

FIVE-YEAR TREND

ANALYSIS


Pursuit Report

Graph #1


Pursuit Report

Graph #2


Pursuit Report

Graph #3


Pursuit Report

Graph #4


Pursuit Report

Graph #5

APPENDIX C

CROSS-TABULATION

ANALYSIS


Pursuit Report

AUTO MC OTHER VAN/PU/SUV TT/ST

Delayed 118 31 4 43 0

During 668 89 16 319 1

Escaped on Foot 58 2 0 34 0

Eluded 129 51 13 61 0

Terminated 169 74 23 62 0

Totals 1,142 247 56 519 1

APPREHENSION – TYPE OF VEHICLE PURSUED

Figure #19


Pursuit Report

AUTO MC OTHER VAN/PU/SUV TT/ST

None 778 201 46 352 1

Crashes 364 46 10 167 0

Totals 1,142 247 56 519 1

CRASH – TYPE OF VEHICLE PURSUED

Figure #20


Pursuit Report

AUTO MC OTHER VAN-PU-SUV TT/ST

Abandoned 70 7 3 49 0

Stopped by Collision 182 29 2 86 0

Discontinued 359 139 33 135 0

Induced Stop 97 5 4 34 0

Police Vehicle Disabled 5 0 1 4 0

Violator Vehicle Disabled 99 27 4 54 0

Stopped Voluntarily 321 40 8 157 1

Police Crash 9 0 1 0 0

Totals 1,142 247 56 519 1

REASON TERMINATED – TYPE OF VEHICLE PURSUED

Figure #21


Pursuit Report

Delayed During Escaped Eluded Terminated

DUI or Suspected DUI Operator 22 186 6 11 22

Felony Criminal Offenses 18 145 12 26 30

Misdemeanor Criminal Offenses 13 71 7 15 29

Other Traffic Offenses 122 563 54 169 214

Stolen or Suspected Stolen Vehicle 5 94 15 18 15

Summary Criminal Offenses 16 34 0 15 18

Totals 190 1,093 94 254 328

REASON INITIATED – APPREHENSION

Figure #22


Pursuit Report

Initiated Crash* %

DUI or Suspected DUI Operator 247 87 35.22%

Felony Criminal Offenses 231 93 40.26%

Misdemeanor Criminal Offenses 135 36 26.67%

Other Traffic Offenses 1,122 277 24.69%

Stolen or Suspected Stolen Vehicle 147 73 49.66%

Summary Criminal Offenses 83 21 25.30%

Totals 1,965 587 29.87%

* Indicates number of pursuits where one or more crashes occurred

(multiple crashes may occur during a single pursuit).

REASON INITIATED – CRASH

Figure #23

APPENDIX D

NON-COMPLIANT LAW ENFORCEMENT

AGENCIES

APPENDIX D NON-COMPLIANT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

The following Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies have not notified or certified to the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission that they have a pursuit policy as required by law:

AGENCY COUNTY

Elk County Detectives Elk

Everett Borough Police Department Bedford

Hatfield Township Police Department Montgomery

Jefferson County Detectives Jefferson

Susquehanna Regional Police Department Lancaster

Washington County Detectives Washington

Weissport Borough Police Department Carbon

APPENDIX E

DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX E DEFINITIONS

The following terms and phrases are utilized in the Pennsylvania Police Pursuit Annual Report. For the purpose of this report, these terms and phrases have the following meanings:

1. REASON INITIATED: Offense or suspected offense for

which the officer initially decided to pursue the vehicle.

A. DUI OR SUSPECTED DUI: The driver was known to be or suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance.

B. OTHER TRAFFIC: Any other traffic violation except

driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance.

C. SUMMARY CRIMINAL: Any known or suspected

summary criminal offense.

D. MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL: Any known or suspected misdemeanor criminal offense.

E. FELONY CRIMINAL: Any known or suspected felony

criminal offense, except those relating to known or suspected stolen vehicles.

F. STOLEN OR SUSPECTED: The vehicle is known to

be or suspected of being stolen.

2. TYPE OF VEHICLE PURSUED:

A. AUTOMOBILE: Passenger cars and minivans, regardless of the manner in which they are registered.

B. VAN/PICK-UP/SUV: Full-size vans, all pick-up trucks, and sport-utility vehicles (even though they may be registered as station wagons).

C. MOTORCYCLE: All two-wheeled motorcycles, mopeds, and motor-driven pedal cycles.

D. OTHER: All other vehicles.

E. TT OR TT/STLR: Tractor Trailer, Tractor Semi-Trailer, or any other type of commercially registered vehicles.

3. APPREHENSION:

A. NONE – VIOLATOR SUCCESSFULLY ELUDED POLICE: Self-explanatory.

B. NONE – DECISION MADE TO TERMINATE: The

pursuit was terminated due to a decision made by the pursuing officer(s) or by their supervisor(s), even though the officer(s) was able to continue the pursuit.

C. NONE – STOPPED BUT ESCAPED ON FOOT: The

violator vehicle was stopped, but the violator escaped on foot.

D. APPREHENDED DURING PURSUIT: The violator

was apprehended during the pursuit. This includes during any foot pursuit or search.

E. DELAYED – AFTER TERMINATION OF PURSUIT:

The violator was apprehended after the pursuit was terminated. This includes cases in which the violator was identified through investigation, or the violator was identified during the pursuit and a decision was made to terminate the pursuit. The violator is then apprehended at a later time.

4. REASON TERMINATED:

A. PURSUIT DISCONTINUED: Self-explanatory.

B. POLICE CRASH: The pursuit was terminated

because the pursuing police vehicle was involved in a crash.

C. POLICE VEHICLE DISABLED: The pursuit was

terminated because the pursuing police vehicle suffered a mechanical failure other than that caused by a crash.

D. VIOLATOR STOPPED VOLUNTARILY: The violator

stopped voluntarily, without the use of road spikes, roadblocks, induced stops, or other apprehension techniques, and surrendered.

E. VIOLATOR ABANDONED VEHICLE: The violator stopped voluntarily, then fled on foot.

F. VIOLATOR STOPPED – CRASH: The violator was

involved in a crash which ended the pursuit.

G. VIOLATOR VEHICLE DISABLED: The pursuit was terminated because the violator vehicle suffered mechanical failure other than that caused by a crash, or other police action.

H. STOPPED BY OTHER POLICE ACTION: The

violator was stopped by apprehension techniques other than trailing pursuit (e.g., legal intervention, roadblock, tire deflation device).

5. CRASH TYPE:

A. NO CRASH: Self-explanatory.

B. VIOLATOR CRASH: A crash involving only the

violator vehicle.

C. POLICE CRASH: A crash involving only a pursuing police vehicle(s).

D. UNINVOLVED CRASH: A crash involving only a

vehicle(s) not involved in the pursuit.

E. VIOLATOR – POLICE CRASH: A crash involving the violator and pursuing police vehicle(s).

F. VIOLATOR – UNINVOLVED CRASH: A crash

involving the violator vehicle and an occupied vehicle(s) not involved in the pursuit.

G. UNINVOLVED – POLICE CRASH: A crash involving

an occupied vehicle(s) not involved in the pursuit and a pursuing police vehicle(s).

H. VIOLATOR – POLICE DEL. INT. (Deliberate Intent): Violator vehicle was deliberately driven into a police vehicle.

I. VIOLATOR – UNINVOLVED DEL. INT. (Deliberate Intent): Violator vehicle was deliberately driven into an uninvolved vehicle.

J. POLICE – VIOLATOR LEGAL INT. (Legal

Intervention): Police vehicle was deliberately driven into the violator vehicle as an act of legal intervention.

6. APPREHENSION TECHNIQUES:

A. TRAILING PURSUIT: Following a violator vehicle in an attempt to stop it.

B. ROAD SPIKES/TIRE DEFLATION DEVICE: Road

fangs, spike strips, stop sticks, or other devices used to deflate the tires of a pursued vehicle.

C. PARTIAL ROADBLOCK: A roadblock intended to

stop or slow the pursued vehicle while allowing the vehicle to pass through or around the roadblock.

D. TOTAL ROADBLOCK: A roadblock which completely

blocks the pursued vehicle’s path, preventing the vehicle from passing through or around the roadblock without striking the roadblock.

E. ROLLING ROADBLOCK: One or more police vehicles being driven in front of, and in the same direction as, the pursued vehicle. The police vehicles are then slowed to force the pursued vehicle to stop.

F. OTHER INDUCED STOP: One or more police vehicles being used to force the pursued vehicle to stop. For the purpose of this report, in an induced stop, there is no attempt to make contact with the pursued vehicle.

G. LEGAL INTERVENTION: For the purpose of this report, deliberately driving a police vehicle into the violator vehicle in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

H. FIREARMS: Firearms or long guns discharged at the

pursued vehicle or driver.

I. AIR SUPPORT: Assistance in pursuit is provided by any type of aircraft.

7. NONPURSUIT-RELATED CHARGES: Charges filed against the operator and/or occupants of the pursued vehicle which are not a result of their conduct during the pursuit.

8. CC: Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18).

9. CS: The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (Act 64).

10. FW: Fireworks Law.

11. GM: Game Law.

12. LL: Liquor Law.

13. VC: Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (Title 75).

14. PURSUIT-RELATED CHARGES: Charges relating to the violator’s operation of the pursued vehicle during the pursuit.

15. OTHER PURSUIT-RELATED CHARGES: Additional

charges relating to the violator’s operation of the pursued vehicle during the pursuit.

16. HIGHWAY: Type of highway or roadway on which the

pursuit started, traveled on during the pursuit, and on which the pursuit ended.

17. MARKED VEHICLES DIRECTLY INVOLVED: The total

number of marked police vehicles directly involved in the pursuit.

18. UNMARKED VEHICLES DIRECTLY INVOLVED: The total

number of unmarked police vehicles directly involved in the pursuit.

19. INJURIES:

A. VIOLATOR: Total number of persons in the violator

vehicle who received nonfatal injuries resulting from vehicular operation during the pursuit.

B. POLICE: Total number of persons in police vehicle(s)

who received nonfatal injuries resulting from vehicular operation during the pursuit.

C. UNINVOLVED: Total number of uninvolved persons who received nonfatal injuries resulting from vehicular operation during the pursuit.

20. FATALITY:

A. VIOLATOR: Total number of persons in the violator

vehicle who died as a direct result of vehicular operation during the pursuit.

B. POLICE: Total number of persons in the police vehicle(s) who died as a direct result of vehicular operation during the pursuit.

C. UNINVOLVED: Total number of uninvolved persons

who died as a direct result of vehicular operation during the pursuit.

21. PROPERTY DAMAGE: Estimated dollar value of property

damage, in hundreds, to violator vehicle(s), police vehicle(s), and uninvolved property resulting from the pursuit.

22. PERSONS IN PURSUED VEHICLE ARRESTED: Self-

explanatory.

23. RELATED CRIMES CODE VIOLATIONS:

CC09: Inchoate Crime CC41: Forgery and Fraudulent Practices

0901 Criminal Attempt 4101 Forgery 0903 Criminal Conspiracy 4105 Bad Checks 0907 Possessing Instruments of

Crime CC43: Offenses against the Family 0908 Prohibited Offensive 4303 Concealing Death of Child

Weapons 4304 Endangering Welfare of Children

CC25: Criminal Homicide 2501 Criminal Homicide 2502 Murder 2504 Involuntary Manslaughter

CC27: Assault 2701 Simple Assault 2702 Aggravated Assault 2705 Recklessly Endangering

CC49: Falsification and Intimidation

4904 Unsworn Falsification to Authorities

4906 False Reports to Law Enforcement Authorities

CC51: Obstructing Governmental Operations

Another Person 5104 Resisting Arrest or Other 2706 Terroristic Threats Law Enforcement 2709 Harassment and Stalking 5105 Hindering Apprehension or

Prosecution

CC29: Kidnapping 5121 Escape

2901 Kidnapping 5126 Flight to Avoid 2902 Unlawful Restraint Apprehension, Trial or

Punishment

CC33: Arson, Criminal Mischief and Other Property Destruction

3302 Causing or Risking Catastrophe

3303 Failure to Prevent Catastrophe

3304 Criminal Mischief 3309 Agricultural Vandalism

CC55: Riot, Disorderly Conduct and

Related Offenses 5503 Disorderly Conduct 5505 Public Drunkenness and

Similar Misconduct

CC61: Firearms and Other Dangerous Articles

CC35: Burglary and Other Criminal 6103 Crimes Committed with Intrusion Firearms 3502 Burglary 6106 Firearms not to be Carried 3503 Criminal Trespass Without a License

CC37: Robbery 3701 Robbery 3702 Robbery of Motor Vehicle

CC39: Theft and Related Offenses 3921 Theft by Unlawful Taking or

Disposition 3925 Receiving Stolen Property 3926 Theft of Services 3928 Unauthorized Use of Automobiles and Other Vehicles 3929 Retail Theft

CC63: Minors 6308 Purchase, Consumption,

Possession or Transportation of Liquor or Malt or Brewed Beverages

24. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE VIOLATIONS:

CS13 (a): Prohibited Acts; Penalties 13(a)16 Possession of a Controlled

Substance 13(a)30 Possession with Intent to

Deliver or Manufacture of a Controlled Substance

13(a)31 Possession of a Small Amount of Marijuana

13(a)32 Possession of Paraphernalia

25. VEHICLE CODE VIOLATIONS:

VC13: Registration of Vehicles 1301 Registration and Certificate

of Title Required 1311 Registration Card to be

Signed and Exhibited on Demand

1332 Display of Registration Plate 1371 Operation Following

Suspension of Registration 1372 Unauthorized Transfer or

Use of Registration

VC15: Licensing of Drivers 1501 Drivers Required to be

Licensed 1503 Persons Ineligible for

Licensing; License Issuance to Minors; Junior Driver’s License

1504 Classes of Licenses 1505 Learners’ Permits 1511 Carrying and Exhibiting

Driver’s License on Demand 1543 Driving While Operating

Privilege is Suspended or Revoked

1575 Permitting Violation of Title

VC17: Financial Responsibility 1786 Required Financial

Responsibility

VC31: Obedience to and Effect of Traffic Laws 3102 Obedience to Authorized

Persons Directing Traffic 3111 Obedience to Traffic-

Control Devices 3112 Traffic-Control Signals 3114 Flashing Signals

VC33: Rules of the Road in General 3301 Driving on Right Side of

Roadway 3302 Meeting Vehicle

Proceeding in Opposite Direction

3303 Overtaking Vehicle on the Left

3304 Overtaking Vehicle on the Right

3305 Limitations on Overtaking on the Left

3306 Limitations on Driving on Left Side of Roadway

3307 No-Passing Zones 3308 One-Way Roadways and

Rotary Traffic Islands 3309 Driving on Roadways Laned

for Traffic 3310 Following Too Closely 3311 Driving on Divided

Highways 3312 Limited Access Highway

Entrances and Exits 3322 Vehicle Turning Left

3323 Stop Signs and Yield Signs 3324 Vehicle Entering or

Crossing Roadway 3325 Duty of Driver on Approach

of Emergency Vehicle 3331 Required Position and

Method of Turning 3334 Turning Movements and

Required Signals 3361 Driving Vehicle at Safe

Speed 3362 Maximum Speed Limits 3367 Racing on Highways

VC35: Special Vehicles and Pedestrians 3523 Operating Motorcycles on

Roadways Laned for Traffic 3525 Protective Equipment for

Motorcycle Riders 3546 Driving Through or Around

Safety Zone

VC37: Miscellaneous Provisions 3701 Unattended Motor Vehicle 3702 Limitations on Backing 3703 Driving Upon Sidewalk 3714 Careless Driving 3717 Trespass by Motor Vehicle 3732 Homicide by Vehicle 3733 Fleeing or Attempting to

Elude Police Officer 3734 Driving without Lights to

Avoid Identification or Arrest 3735 Homicide by Vehicle While

DUI

3735.1 Aggravated Assault by

Vehicle While DUI

3736 Reckless Driving

3743 Accidents Involving

Damage to Attended Vehicle or Property

3745 Accidents Involving Damage to Unattended Vehicle or Property

VC38: Driving after Imbibing Alcohol or Utilizing Drugs 3802 Driving Under Influence of

Alcohol or Controlled Substance

VC41: Equipment Standards 4107 Unlawful Activities

VC47: Inspection of Vehicles 4703 Operation of Vehicle

Without Official Certificate of Inspection

4730 Violations of Use of Certificate of Inspection

VC71: Vehicle Theft and Related Provisions 7122 Altered, Forged or

Counterfeit Documents and Plates

7124 Fraudulent Use or Removal of Registration Plate

VC77: Snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles 7721 Operation on Streets and

Highways